Why is a SSN required?

A SSN is required to trace the candidate's address history, to supplement the information provided in national database searches, and to serve as pointer information for additional searches. The submitted information is matched against existing data from credit bureaus and other databases.

In addition, Checkr can query information provided by the Social Security Administration to determine if the SSN was validly issued and whether it matches an individual on the Death Master File (i.e. a person who is assumed by the Social Security Administration to be deceased).

If the SSN trace raises an Exception, then Checkr will reach out to the candidate to collect additional information. The most common reason an exception would be generated is when the candidate submits information with a typo.